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DEPARTMENT OF 

Drainage and Waters 

STATE OF MINNESOTA 

E. V, WILLARD, Commissioner 



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DRAINAGE AREAS OF MINNESOTA STREAMS 

AND METHOD OF ESTIMATING PROBABLE 

FLOOD FLOWS 




OCTOBER, 1922. 



DEPARTMENT OF 



Drainage and Waters 



STATE OF MINNESOTA 



E. V. WILLARD, Commissioner 



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DRAINAGE AREAS OF MINNESOTA STREAMS 

AND METHOD OF ESTIMATING PROBABLE 

FLOOD FLOWS 




OCTOBER, 1922. 






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CONTENTS. 

Introduction 3 

Acknowledgments , 5 

Estimating Flood Flow of Streams 6 

Estimating Total Run-off or Yield of Drainage Baisins 8 

Illustrations of the Use of Formula and Tables 9 

Table I — ^Area in Square Miles of the Principal Drainage Basins in Min- 
nesota and Adjacent Tributary Territory 11 

Table II— Values of A.6 for Use in the Formula Q=100A.6 30 

Table III — Frequency Coefficients 33 

Table IV— Run-off Coefficients 34 

INTRODUCTION. 

The problem of controlling floods, developing water powers, 
furnishing ample water suppl}^ for municipal consumption, design- 
ing adequate culverts and bridges, providing sufficient capacity 
for drains and all kindred prpblems begin j with run-off. A 
knowledge therefore, of the behavior of that portion of the water 
supplied by precipitation which finds its way to the streams which 
carry it to lower elevations,' is 'fundamental to an intelligent 
consideration of practically ever}^ problem.with which the hydraulic 
and drainage engineer is con-fronted. " 

In instances where the rate and volume of run-oft" has been 
observed by actual measurement of streams, and such observa- 
tions have covered a sufficiently long period of years to include 
fairly dependable extremes of high and low discharges, intelligent 
conclusions may be drawn from such data alone, even if the 
engineer's knowledge of climatological phenomenon and physical 
characteristics of the area which furnishes the run-off is meagre. 
Unfortunately such records of flow on streams within or affecting 
Minnesota are rare, and with the exception of a few of the larger 
streams, may be said to be entirely lacking. This is particularly 
true of all of the smaller streams, the treatment of which so often 
becomes the duty of the engineers concerned with the design of 
drainage outlets and with providing culvert and bridge capacities 
for maximum flood flow. 



In the absence of actual dependable measurements of flow, 
conclusions and designs must be based on climatological data 
combined Math a knowledge of the physical characteristics of the 
water-shed from which the run-oft" is supplied. Climatological 
data includes records of precipitation (rain and snow-fall), 
temperature, evaporation, humidity and wind movement. The 
physical characteristics of the water-shed of which knowledge 
should be had, are extent and shape of area, topography, nature 
of soil, vegetation and general slope of area towards the outlet 
channel. The data compiled by the United States Weather 
Bureau offers an authentic source of information concerning 
weather conditions, and are made available in convenient form 
through the Bureau's monthly and annual publications. 

Of the elements which g"o to make up the physical character- 
istics of the water-shed, undoubtedly the most important one, and 
one which always bears a decided relation to the rate and volume 
of run-oft', is the extent of area which contributes the water. 
Topography, nature of soil, vegetal covering, slope and shape of 
area, while aiU of sufficient importance to merit careful consid- 
eration, are factors, the effects on run-off of which usually permit 
of a more general interpretation. They are largely peculiar to each 
water-shed, and therefore variable, and are usually given their 
proper weight by the exercise of judgment based on general visual 
observations of these factors M^hich prevail. A knowledge of the 
approximate area of the drainage basin, however, has been 
recognized as essential, which fact is made manifest by the 
prominence this factor is given in all formulas proposed for the 
determination of rate and volume of run-off when actual measure- 
ments are lacking, and when weather .phenomenon and nature of 
water-shed must be made the basis of conclusions. 

It is with a view of furnishing a more ready reference to the 
extent of the drainage areas of the principal streams within and 
affecting Minnesota and their main tributaries, as well as to present 
a simple formula and method for use of engineers in estimating 
probable maximum flows which may be expected in such streams, 
that this pamphlet has been prepared and published. 

The base map from which the areas within Minnesota have 
been determined is one Avhich has been prepared by the depart- 
ment for the exclusive purpose of showing the water resources of 
the state. This map is drawn on a scale of 1/3 inch = 1 mile. 



the original being- made up by actually . reproducing all the 
streams, lakes and sub-division lines from the original township 
plats prepared by the United States Land Office. The several 
drainage basins were outlined by pencil on this map and their 
areas subsequently determined by the use of the planimeter. The 
areas thus determined were checked against as many other maps 
and sources of information as were conveniently obtainable in 
order to discover any gross errors that might have crept in. The 
maps accompanying "Report on Drainage and Prevention of 
Over-flow in the Valley of the Red River of the North" by the 
United States Bureau of Public Roads, were used in checking 
areas affecting the Red River of the North. The standard topo- 
graphic cjuadrangle maps of the United States Geological Survey 
offered a valuable source of information on the limited areas for 
which they are available. The names of the streams given in the 
"Report of Water Resources Investigations of Minnesota, 1909- 
1912" by the former Minnesota State Drainage Commission under 
the caption "Gazeteer of Minnesota Streams" furnished largely 
the basis from which the streams, the areas of which are given 
herein, have been selected. Areas of portions of drainage basins 
located outside of the boundaries of Minnesota, referred to herein, 
haA^e been derived from state maps and other information that 
could be obtained. The state has been divided into the three 
major drainage basins which affect it — Mississippi, Hudson Bay 
and Lake vSuperior. All areas given -in Table I are in order of 
their outletting into the principal channels beginning at the 
source and continuing to the mouth. 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. 

The work of arranging and determining the drainage areas 
shown in Table I has been done by W. S. Olson, office engineer 
of the department organization, assisted by G. E. Coons, deputy 
commissioner. The analysis of flood flow formulas and the 
derivation of the curve shown on Figure I, and Tables II, III and 
IV are contributions of A. F. Me3^er in his capacity as consulting 
engineer for the department and C. M. Halseth, assistant 
engineer. 



ESTIMATING FLOOD FLOW OF STREAMS. 

The multiplicity of flood flow formulas which have been pre- 
sented by difl'erent engineers for various parts of the country 
leave the Minnesota engineer somewhat in doubt as to which 
formula is best adapted to the conditions prevailing in this state. 
A comparison of the various formulas leads to the conclusion that 
there is not as much difference between them as might at first 
appear. 

Although many of the formulas contain only one variable, 
namely, the area of the drainage basin, it does not follow that 
area is the only factor to -wdiich these formulas give consideration. 

In general, it may be stated that the maximum rate of run-off 
from a drainag'e basin will be produced by the maximum rainfall 
which may be expected within the time required for water from 
the remotest portion of the basin to reach the point on the stream 
under consideration ; that is, the rate of rainfall causing maximum 
flood run-off from a . given basin depends upon the time of 
concentration of the run-off". The time of concentration in turn 
depends upon the character and size of the drainage basin — 
therefore the rate of rainfall to be used in determining flood run- 
off varies with the "drainage area. 

Our studies of the various flood flow formulas and of floods 
on Minnesota and Wisconsin streams have developed the following 
facts : 

As a rough approximation, the peak discharge in cubic feet 
per second, during a flood, is about double the average discharge 
in cubic feet per second. 

The relation between the peak discharge and the average 24- 
hour discharge is given by Fuller's Table 1, page 568, Trans. A. 
S. C. E. 1914, quoted on page 344, Elements of Hydrology, by 
Meyer. 

The rate of rainfall to be used for gently rolling country in 
Minnesota, in inches per hour, equals about 30 divided by the 
area in acres, raised to the .4 power, or : 

30 
R = 

A-4 



The principal effect of the slope of the water-shed is upon the 
time of concentration of the run-off, which in turn affects the 
rate of rainfall to be used, and in this manner the slope indirectly 
aft'ects the flood flow very materially. 

The frequency of flood flows of various magnitudes on a 
given stream is very similar to the frequency of various rates of 
intense precipitation on the drainage basin. For Minnesota 
conditions, the frequency of intense rainfall, as given in Meyer's 
Elements of Hydrology, for cities within Group 3, page 183, with 
a slight modification to conform to the frequency of excessive 
daily precipitation as shown on page 123, substantially corres- 
ponds to the frequency of floods of given magnitude, as developed 
by Fuller in Trans. A. S. C. E. 1914, page 568, and briefly 
summarized on page 344, Table 39, of Meyer's Hydrology. 

The general formula for flood flow applicable to Minnesota 
conditions reduces to : 

Q = lOOA-6 

This formula represents the maiximum rate of discharge in cubic 
feet per second which may be expected, on an average, once in 
twenty-five years, from ordinary, gently rolling drainage basins 
having an area "A" in square miles. 

For convenience, the values of "A-^" are given in Table H, 
and on three graphs in Fig. 1. If desired, these values may be 
plotted to larger scale graphs for office use in solving for "Q". 

For other frequencies than once in twenty-five years, multiply 
the coefficient 100 by the values given in Table HI. 

For drainage basins of different slope and character of soil 
and topography, multiply the coefficient 100 as modified for 
frequency by the proper coefficient as given in Table IV. 



ESTIMATING TOTAL RUN-OFF OR YIELD OF 
DRAINAGE BASINS. 

The engineer is often called upon to estimate the yield or 
total run-off from a drainage basin during the several months of 
the year. When no discharge records are available for the given 
stream, reasonably good estimates can be made from rainfall and 
other physical data by the method developed by Meyer and 
described by him in Trans. A. S. C. E. 1916, pages 1056 to 1224, 
and in his "Elements of Hydrology," Chapter XI, pages 410 to 
436. 

According to Meyer's method, the monthly evaporation and 
transpiration losses are computed for the given basin and are 
subtracted from the monthly precipitation. The precipitation 
minus losses is available for run-off. The distribution of this 
run-oft" through the several months of the year is a more involved 
computation. Each month's precipitation minus losses is divided 
into surface run-oft', surface storage, soil storage and subsoil 
storage. The water which percolates into the subsoil furnishes 
the seepage flow of the stream. The seepage flow plus the 
surface run-off during a given month gives the total run-off for 
that month. 

The more study and experience that can be brought tp bear on 
the problem, the more accurate will be the results obtained. The 
published discussions of the method to which reference has 
already been made should be carefully studied by everyone 
attempting to utilize it. 



TLI.USTRATTON OF THE USE OF FORMULA AND 

TABLES 

EXAMPLE NO. L 

Problem : Required to determine the size and capacity of a 
bridge to be constructed across the Warroad River near its niouth 
in order to pass the maximum flow to be expected on an average 
once in 100 years. 

Solution : O = lOOA-6 

Where O =-- maximum flow to be 

expected within the given time, 
A = Area of watershed. 

From Table I we find the area of the Warroad River, A, to 
be 220 square miles. 

The judgment of the engineer must be relied on to select the 
classification under Run-off Coefficients found in Table IV 
applicable to the Warroad River drainage area, but for the 
purpose of this example it will be placed under classification 4, 
loam soil. For this condition we find the coefiicient to be .70. 

lender Table III, Frequency Coefficients, we find the coefficient 
for a flood of a magnitude to be expected once in 100 years to be 
1.4. 

Applying these coefficients and factors to the formula and 
solving, we have 

= 100 x 220-6 X .70 X 1.4 . 
From curve, Figure h 

220-6 = 25 
Whence O — - 100 x 25 x .70 x 1.4 

= 2,450 cubic feet per second or the mai^i- 
raum flood flow for which bridge capacity 
should be provided. 

EXAMPLE NO. 2. 

Problem : Required to determine the maximum rate of flow 
to be expected on an average once in 25 years at or near the 
outlet of the Crow River. 

Solution : O = lOOA-6 

A glimpse at the map shows that the, Crow River receives its 
water from two separate and independent streams, the North 
Branch and the South Branch, the two joining at or near Rock- 



ford to form the main stream. Sound judgment at once suggests 
that each of these tribu:taries should be treated separately for a 
maximum discharg'e to be expected in each at the point of 
confluence. 

From Table I we find the area of the North Branch of the 
Crow River to be 1,217 square miles. 

For the purpose of this illustration the area will be placed 
under classification 3, Clayey .Soil, of Run-off Coefficients, Table 
IV. For this condition we find the coefficient to be .75. 

Under Table III, Frequency Coefficients, we find for floods 
of a magnitude to be expected once in 25 years the coefficient to 
be 1.00. 

Applying these coefficients and solving 

= 100x 1,217-6 X .75 X 1.00 
From curve, Figure 1, 

1,217-6:^-71 
Whence 

Q=.100 X 71 X .75 X 1.00 

O — - 5,325 cubic feet per second or the maxi- 
mum flow that may be expected in the North Branch of the Crow 
River at its mouth on an average once in 25 years. 

Giving the South Branch of the Crow River the same treat- 
ment : — 

From Table I we find the area~ of the South Branch of the 
Crow Raver to be 1,554 square miles. 

From Curve, Figure 1, 

1,544-6 = 82 

Applying the same Frec[uency Coefficient and Run-oft" 
Coefficient from Table III and Table IV respectively as in the 
case of the North Branch and solving, 

= 100x82 X .75 X 1.00 

=^6,150 cubic feet per second, the maximum flow which 
may be expected at the mouth of the South Branch of the Crow 
River on an average of once in 25 years. 

Adding the discharges of the two branches gives a maximum 
flow in the Crow River below the junction of the North and 
South Branches of 1,1,475 cubic feet per second. 

10 



TABLE I. 

AREAS IN SQUARE MILES OF THE PRINCIPAL 

DRAINAGE BASINS IN MINNESOTA 

AND ADJACENT TRIBUTARY 

TERRITORY. 

RESUME. 

MAJOR BASINS 

Area, Square Miles 

1. MISSISSIPPI RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN: 

Area above the outlet of the Minnesota River 19,888 

Area below the outlet of the Minnesota River, exclusive of 
the Minnesota, Missouri, Des Moines and Red Cedar River 
basins 9,447 

Minnesota River: 

Tributary area within Minnesota 14,262 

Tributary area within South Dakota 1,620 

Tributary area within Iowa 655 

Area within Minnesota draining through the Des Moines and 

Red Cedar Rivers 2,663 

Area within Minnesota draining through the Missouri River.. 1,799 

2. HUDSON BAY DRAINAGE BASIN: 

Rainy River, area within Minnesota 10,454 

Red River of the North: 
^ Tributary area within Minnesota (including the Roseau 

River) 17,388 

Tributary area within North and South Dakota 17,952 

Tributary area within Canada, draining into Roseau 
River at points within Minnesota 2,042 

3. LAKE SUPERIOR DRAINAGE BASIN: 

Pigeon River: 

Tributary area within Minnesota 227 

Tributary area within Canada 401 

Areas within Minnesota directly tributary to Lake Superior.. 5,658 



Total Areas of the Major Basins located within Minnesota 81,986 

11 



MISSISSIPPI RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 

SUMMARY 

Area, Square Miles 
Total Mississippi River drainage area including 1,620 square miles 
within South Dakota, and 655 square miles in Iowa, but exclusive 

of area within Wisconsin 50,334 

Total area of the Mississippi River drainage basin within Minnesota 48,059 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER. 

NAMES OF THE TRIBUTARY AREAS 

Grant Creek 126 

Yellow Head River 177 

Turtle River 240 

Third River 137 

Pigeon River 105 

Area bordering on the Mississippi River above the Leech 

Lake River outlet 750 

Total area above the Leech Lake River outlet 1,534 

Leech Lake River I 1,246 

Steamboat River 116 

Kabekona River 123 

Shingobi Creek 26 

Boy River 429 

Laura Brook 31 

Swift River 30 

Bear River 27 

Area bordering on the Leech Lake River above the Leech 

Lake outlet 464 

Ball Club River . 49 

Deer River 128 

Vermillion River 37 

Prairie River 446 

Area bordering on the Mississippi River between the 
Leech Lake River outlet and the Swan River outlet .... 327 

Total area above the outlet of the Swan River 4,231 

Swan River 330 

Sandy River 423 

Savanah River 48 

Prairie River above Sandy Lake 256 

Tamarack River 119 

Area bordering on- the Mississippi River between the 

Swan River outlet and the Willow River outlet 112 

Total area above the Willow River outlet 5,096 

Willow River 483 

Hill River ; 86 

Morrison Brook 37 

Moose River 89 

White Elk Brook 44 

12 



Area, Square Miles 
Rice River 356 

Dam Brook 52 

Sisabagama Creek .' - 45 

Mud River 106 

Little Willow River 87 

Dean Brook 23 

Area bordering on the Mississippi River between the 

Willow River outlet and the Pine River outlet 135 

Total area above the Pine River outlet ' 6,331 

Pine River 802 

Ada Brook 71 

Daggett Brook 141 

Washburn Brook ; 38 

Little Pine River 140 

Rabbit River 39 

Sand Creek 23 

Area bordering on the Mississippi River between the 

- Pine River outlet, and the Crow Wing River outlet 121 

Total area above the Crow Wing River outlet 7,316 

Crow Wing River 3,668 

Shell River 548 

Straight River 269 

Fish Hook River 191 

Blueberry River 44 

Swamp River ^ 67 

Cat River 50 

Little Swamp Creek 9 

Beaver Creek 13 

Farnham Creek 53 

Leaf River 795 

Bluff Creek 78 

Oak Ridge Creek 31 

Wing River ; 184 

Red Eye River 196 

Partridge River .' 91 

Swan Creek 43 

Mosquito Creek , 51 

Long Prairie River 817 

Calamas Creek 40 

Belle River 56 

Eagle Creek 80 

Turtle Creek 10 

Moran Brook 60 

Fish Trap River 81 

Seven Mile Creek 27 

Pillager Creek , 12 

13 



Area, Square Miles 

Gull River 291 

Stoney Brook 43 

Home Brook 57 

Nokasippi River 228 

Daggett Brook 56 

Fletcher Boundary Creek 44 

Little Elk River 135 

Pike Creek 32 

Swan |liver 115 

Two Rivers 153 

South Two Rivers 105 

North Two Rivers .' 46 

Spunk River 56 

Area bordering on the Mississippi River between the 

Crow Wing River outlet and the Platte River outlet. . . ^ 151 

Total area above the Platte River outlet 11,898 

Platte River 313 

Skunk River 1S6 

Little Rock River 102 

Watab River 85 

Area bordering on the Mississippi River between Platte 

River outlet and the Sauk River outlet 62 

Total area above the Sauk River 12,460 

Sauk River 860 

Adley Creek 88 

Ashley Creek 116 

Plum Creek . 46 

St. Augusta Creek 8 

Clearwater River 181 

Silver Creek 52 

Elk River 607 

Meyhew Creek 60 

Rice Creek 53 

Snake River 18 

St. Francis River 220 

Battle Brook 12 

Tibbitts Brook 45 

Area bordering on the Mississippi River between the 

Snake River outlet and the Crow River outlet 212 

Total area above the Crow River outlet 14,426 

Crow River 2,838 

Crow River (north branch) 1,217 

Skunk River 26 

Crow River (middle branch) 310 

Jewett Creek 38 

Sucker Creek 35 

14 



Area, Square Miles 

Twelve Mile Creek 65 

Crow River (south branch) 1,554 

Buffalo Creek 670 

Pioneer Creek 54 

Rum River 1,575 

Borden Brook 18 

Bradbury Brook 20 

Stoney Brook 8 

Whitney Brook 8 

Tibbitts Brook 40 

Mike Dreur Brook 12 

O'Neill Brook 12 

Bandell Brook 17 - 

Bogus Brook 25 

Rum River (west branch) 175 

Estes Brook 105 

Green Lake Brook 28 

Stanchfield Creek 25 

Seely Brook 60 

Cedar Creek ., 96 

Trott Brook 53 

Elm Creek 86 

Rush Creek 32 

Coon Creek 113 

Rice Creek 150 

Shingle Creek , 335 

Bassett Creek 46 

Minnehaha Creek 206 

Area bordering on the Mississippi River between the 

Crow River outlet and the Minnesota River outlet 113 

Total area above the Minnesota River outlet 19,888 

Minnesota River 16,537 

(For details of tributary areas of the Minnesota River, 

see page 17) 
Area bordering on the Mississippi River between the 

Minnesota River outlet and the St. Croix River outlet 272 

Total area above the St. Croix River 36,697 

St. Croix River 3,254 

(For details of tributary areas to St. Croix River in Min- 
nesota, see page 19) 

Vermillion River 261 

Area bordering on the Mississippi River between the St. 

Croix River outlet, and the Cannon River outlet 80 

Total area above the Cannon River 40,292 

Cannon River 1,440 

Little Cannon River . 16 

Devil Creek 21 

15 



Area,.Square Miles 

Mackenzie Creek 13 

Straight River 465 

Crane Creek 107 

Wolf Creek 49 

^ Heath Creek 34 

Prairie Creek 103 

Little Cannon River ; 98 

Chub Creek 20 

Trout Brook 22 

Belle Creek 92 

Wells Creek 77 

Area bordering on the Mississippi River between the 

Cannon River outlet and the Zumbro River outlet 168 

Total area above the Zumbro River outlet 41,977 

Zumbro River 1,377 

Zumbro River (south branch) 810 

Zumbro River (middle branch) 399 

Zumbro River (north branch) 240 

Whitewater River 320 

Rollingstone Creek 128 

Rollingstone Creek (south branch) 55 

Rollingstone Creek (west branch) 55 

Pine Creek 64 

Area bordering on the Mississippi River between the 

Zumbro River outlet and the Root River outlet 149 

Total area above the Root River outlet - 44,015 

Root River 1,662 

Mill Creek 37 

Root River (middle branch) 218 

Deer Creek 60 

Trout Creek 53 

Root River (south branch) 291 

Rush Creek 108 

Money Creek 219 

Root River (south fork) 290 

Ricef ord Creek 69 

Silver Creek 26 

Crystal Creek 12 

Thompson Creek 50 

Winnebago Creek 90 

Area bordering on the Mississippi River between the Root 

River outlet and the Minnesota-Iowa State Boundary . . 105 

Total area above the Minnesota-Iowa State Boundary 

draining directly into the Mississippi River 45,872 

Areasin Minnesota draining into the Mississippi River at 
ponts outside of Minnesota (see details of tributary 
areas) 4,462 

16 ' 



MISSISSIPPI RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 

MINNESOTA RIVER. 

SUMMARY 

Area, Square Miles 

^otal Minnesota River drainage area 16,537 

Tributary area within Minnesota 14,262 

Tributary area within South Dakota 1,620 

Tributary area within Iowa 655 

NAMES OF THE TRIBUTARY AREAS 

Area within Minnesota bordering on Big Stone Lake and 
the Minnesota River above the outlet of the Yellow 

Bank River 252 

Area within South Dakota bordering on Big Stone Lake 
and tributary to the Minnesota River above the outlet 

of the Yellow Bank River 920 

Stony Run ^ 108 

Yellow Bank River: 

Tributary area within Minnesota 144 

Tributary area within South Dakota 415 

Total tributary area 559 

Ar«a bordering on the Minnesota River between the Yel- 
low Bank River outlet and the Pomme de Terre River 

outlet 109 

Total area above the Pomme de Terre River outlet 1,948 

Pomme de Terre River 961 

Mud Creek 148 

Area bordering on the Minnesota River between the 
Pomme de Terre River outlet and the Lac qui Parle 

River outlet 118 

Total area above the Lac qui Parle River outlet 3,027 

Lac qui Parle River: 

Tributary area within Minnesota 768 

Tributary area within South Dakota ,285 

Total tributary area 1,053 

Lac qui Parle River (east branch) 105 

Canby Creek 93 

Florida Creek 82 

Area bordering on the Minnesota River between the Lac 

qui Parle River outlet and the Chippewa River outlet. . 110 

Total area above the Chippewa River 4,190 

Chippewa River 1,893 

Shakopee Creek 346 

Chippewa River (east branch) 423 

Little Chippewa River 230 

17 



Area, Square Miles 
Stony Run 176 

Hawk Creek 531 

Chetamba Creek 152 

Area bordering on the Minnesota River between the 
Chippewa River outlet and the Yellow Medicine River 

outlet 70 

Total area above the Yellow Medicine River outlet 6,860 

Yellow Medicine River 550 

Area bordering on the Minnesota River between the Yel- 
low Medicine River outlet and the Redwood River outlet ISl 
Total area above the Redwood River 7,591 

Redwood River 702 

Three Mile Creek 78 

Beaver Creek 249 

Area bordering on the Minnesota River between the Red- 
wood River outlet and the Cottonwood River outlet;. . . 561 
Total area above the Cottonwood River 9,103 

Cottonwood River 1,200 

Sleepy Eye Creek 282 

Highwater Creek 102 

Dutch Charlie's Creek 78 ' 

Plum Creek 77 

Area bordering on the Minnesota River between the Cot- 
tonwood River outlet and the Little Cottonwood River 

outlet 11 

Total area ab^ove the Little Cottonwood River outlet 10,314 

Little Cottonwood River 255 

Nicollet Creek 175 

Minneopa Creek 62 

Area bordering on the Minnesota River between the Lit- 
tle Cottonwood River outlet and the Blue Earth River 

outlet 65 

Total area above the Blue Earth River outlet 10,871 

Blue Earth River: 

Tributary area within Minnesota 3 183 

Tributary area within Iowa 655 

Le Sueur River 938 

Maple River 272 

Cobb River 214 

Little Cobb River 80 

Boot Creek 54 

Watonwan River ; 780 

Perch Creek 107 

"Watonwan River (south branch) 220 

Chain River, Elm Creek 283 

i. .-. 1^ 



Area, Square Miles 

Center Creek 113 

Lily Creek 31 

South Creek 84 

Blue Earth River (east branch) 310 

Jones Creek 130 

Shanaska Creek 51 

Cherry Creek , 57 

Le Sueur Creek 128 

Little Le Sueur Creek 46 

Rush River 300 

High Island Creek 183 

Sevens Creek 120 

Carver Creek 72 

Sand Creek 267 

Raven Stream 46 

Porter Creek 84 

Credit River 90 

Nine Mile Creek 40 

Area bordering on the Minnesota River between the Blue 

Earth River outlet and the Mississippi River 520 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 

ST. CROIX RIVER* 

SUMMARY 

Total St. Croix River drainage area 7,290 

Tributary area vi^ithin Minnesota 3,254 

NAMES OF TRIBUTARY AREAS WITHIN MINNESOTA 

Spruce River 13 

Area bordering on the St. Croix River between the Spruce 

River outlet and the Tamarack River outlet 8 

Total area above the Tamarack River outlet 21 

Tamarack River 166 

Area bordering on the St. Croix River between the Tama- 
rack River outlet and the Crooked Creek outlet 5 

Total area above the Crooked Creek outlet 192 

Crooked Creek 73 

Area bordering on the St. Croix River between the 

Crooked Creek outlet and the Sand River outlet 9 

Total area above the Sand River outlet 279 

Sand River 139 

Area bordering on the St. Croix River between the Sand 

River outlet and the Bear Creek outlet 1 

Total area above the Bear Creek outlet 419 

19 



Area, Square Miles 

Bear Creek 44 

Area bordering on the St. Croix River between Bear 

Creek outlet and the Kettle River outlet 2 

Total area above the Kettle River outlet 465 

Kettle River 1,030 

Grindstone River 102 

Pine River 103 

Little Pine River 24 

Willow River 116 

Moose River 161 

Partridge River 14 

Split Rock River 86 

Otter Brook 18 

Dead Moose River 24 

Moose Horn River 43 

Area bordering on the St. Croix River between the Kettle 

River outlet and the Snake River outlet . 14 

Total area above the Snake River outlet 1,509 

Snake River 936 

Mission Creek 15 

Pokegema Creek 88 

Mud Creek 70 

Rice Creek 23 

Groundhouse River 138 

Ann River ■ 70 

Knife River 89 

Cowan Brook 10 

Chester Brook (Little Snake River) 16 

Area bordering on the St. Croix River between the Snake 

River outlet and Goose Creek outlet 135 

Total area above Goose Creek outlet 2,580 

Goose Creek 67 

Area bordering on the St. Croix River between the Goose 

Creek River outlet and the Sunrise River outlet 8 

Total area above the Sunrise River outlet 2,655 

Sunrise River 307 

Area bordering on the St. Croix River between the Sun- 
rise River outlet and Brown Creek outlet 170 

Brown Creek 16 

Area bordering on the St. Croix River between the Brown 

Creek outlet and Bolles Creek outlet 44 

Total area above Bolles Creek outlet 3,192 

Bolles Creek 18 

20 



Area, Square Miles 
Area within Minnesota bordering on the St. Croix River 
between the Bolles Creek outlet and the mouth of the 
St. Croix River 44 

TOTAL DRAINAGE AREA OF THE ST. CROIX RIVER 
WITHIN MINNESOTA 3,254 

*Note — No attempt has been made to determine extent of tributary areas located 
within the State of Wisconsin. 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 

AREAS WITHIN MINNESOTA DRAINING INTO THE 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER AT POINTS OUTSIDE 

OF MINNESOTA. 

SUMMARY 
Total area within Minnesota draining into the Mississippi 

River outside of Minnesota 4,462 

Missouri River Drainage Basin 1,799 

Areas along the Iowa boundary draining through Iowa 

directly into the Mississippi River.. 2,663 

NAMES OF TRIBUTARIES AND THEIR AREAS WITHIN MINNESOTA 

DRAINING DIRECTLY INTO THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER 

WITH OUTLETS IN IOWA 

Iowa River (upper reaches) 193 

Little Cedar River 71 

Cedar River 957 

Shell-rock River " '. 322 

Woodbury Brook 55 

Rose Creek 93 

Turtle Creek 184 

Des Moines River 1,443 

Des Moines River (east branch) 126 

Herron Lake outlet 507 

Jack Creek 240 

Okabena Creek 171 

NAMES OF TRIBUTARIES WITHIN MINNESOTA DRAINING INTO 

THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER THROUGH THE 

MISSOURI RIVER 

Rock River 872 

Little Rock River -120 

Kanaranzi Creek 186 

Elk Creek 58 

Champepedan Creek r 83 

Chanarambic Creek 74 

21 



Area, Square Miles 

Big Sioux River 751 

Beaver Creek 138 

Split Rock Creek 440 

Pipestone Creek 68 

Flandreau Creek 105 , 

Area draining into Big Sioux River north of Flandreau 

Creek 63 

Little Sioux River 113 

HUDSON BAY DRAINAGE BASIN. 

SUMMARY 

RED RIVER OF THE NORTH 

Total area 37,382 

Tributary area within Minnesota, including the Roseau 

River 17,388 

Tributary area in North and South Dakota 17,952 

Tributary area in Canada ^ 2,042 

RAINY RIVER 

Total area within Minnesota 10,454 

Total Hudson Bay Drainage Basin 47,836 

RED RIVER OF THE NORTH 

NAMES OF TRIBUTARIES 

Areas within Minnesota bordering on Lake Traverse, be- 
tween Browns Valley and the Mustinka River outlet. . . 74 

Mustinka River, total ; . . 831 

Mustinka River above outlet of -^Five Mile Creek 199 

Five Mile Creek 150 

Twelve Mile Creek 368 

Area within Minnesota bordering on Lake Traverse, and 
the Bois de Sioux River between the Mustinka River 
outlet and the outlet of the Rabbit River 73 

Area within Minnesota above the Rabbit River outlet. . . . 978 

Rabbit River 298 

Area within Minnesota bordering on the Bois de Sioux 
River between the Rabbit River outlet and the Otter 
Tail River outlet 58 

Area within North and South Dakota tributary to Lake 
Traverse and the Bois de Sioux River above the outlet 
of the Otter Tail River 553 

Area within Minnesota above the outlet of the Otter Tail 
River at Breckenridge 1,334 

Total drainage area above Breckenridge. 1,887 

22 



Area, Square Miles 

Otter Tail River 1,824 

Dead River 104 

Toad River 110 

Pelican River 468 

Area within Minnesota bordering on the Red River be- 
tween the outlet of the Otter Tail River and Fargo 408 

Area within North Dakota bordering on the Red River 

between the outlet of the Otter Tail River and Fargo 84 

Wild Rice River (North Dakota) 2,169 

Area within Minnesota above Fargo 3,56fl 

Total area above Fargo 6,372 

Area within Minnesota bordering on the Red River be- 
tween Fargo and the outlet of the Buffalo River 57 

Buffalo River 1,124 

Buffalo River (south branch) 444 

Deerhorn Creek 122 

Whiskey Creek 80 

Willow River 160 

Area within Minnesota bordering on the Red River be- 
tween the outlet of the Buffalo River and the Minnesota 

Wild Rice River outlet.. 40 

Area in North Dakota bordering on the Red River be- 
tween Fargo and the outlet of the Elm River ' 192 

Sheyenne River (North Dakota) 7,336 

Elm River (North Dakota) 468 

Area within Minnesota above the outlet of the Minnesota 

Wild Rice River 4,787 

Total drainage area above the outlet of the Minnesota 

Wild Rice River , 15,589 

Wild Rice River, Minnesota, total area 1,510 

, White Earth River 199 

Wild Rice (south branch) 357 

Area within Minnesota bordering on the Red River be- 
tween the outlet of the Minnesota Wild Rice River and 

the Marsh River outlet 80 

Area within North Dakota bordering on the Red River 
between the outlet of the Elm River and the Goose 

River outlet 51 

Goose River (North Dakota) 1,314 

Area within Minnesota above the outlet of the Marsh 

River 6,377 

Total area above the outlet of the Marsh River 18,544 

Marsh River 286 

Area within Minnesota bordering on the Red River be- 
tween the outlet of the Marsh River and the Sand Hill • 

River outlet 59 

Sand Hill River 544 

23 



Area, 

Area within Minnesota bordering on the Red River be- 
tween the outlet of the Sand Hill River aild the Red 

Lake River outlet 

Area within North Dakota bordering on the Red River 

between the Goose River outlet and Grand Forks 

Total area above Grand Forks 

Red Lake River 

Tamarac River , 

Shotley Brook 

Battle River 

Black Duck River 

Hay Creek 

Mud River 

Pike Creek 

Big Rock Creek 

Sandy River 

Area of Upper and Lower Red Lakes 

Area bordering on the Red Lakes 

Area above the outlet of Lower Red Lake 

Area bordering on the Red Lake River between the 
outlet of Lower Red Lake and the Thief River outlet 

Total area above the Thief River outlet 

Thief River 

Moose River 282 

Area bordering on the Red Lake River between the 
Thief River outlet and the Clearwater River outlet. . . . 

Total area above the Clearwater River 

Clearwater River 

Badger Creek 147 

Lost River 612 

Poplar River 107 

Hill River 200 

Black River 

Area within Minnesota above Grand Forks 

Area within Minnesota bordering on the Red River be- 
tween the outlet of the Red Lake River and the Grand 

Marais River outlet 

Grand Marais River 

Area within North Dakota bordering on the Red Lake 
River between Grand Forks and the outlet of the Turtle 

River 

' Turtle River (North Dakota) 

Area bordering on the Red River between the outlet of 
the Grand Marais River and the Snake River outlet. . . . 

^Forest River (North Dakota) 

Area within Minnesota above the Snake River outlet .... 
Total area above the Snake River outlet 



Square Miles 



40 



289 

65 

162 

269 

42 

64 

24 

30 

95 

440 

405 

1,885 

482 
2,367 
1,168 



170 
3,705 
1,294 



145 



481 

19,957 

5,709 



13,015 



17 
254 



139 
699 

36 

1,122 

13,322 

27,933 



24 



Area, Square Miles 

Snake River 991 

Middle River 303 

Area within Minnesota bordering on the Red River be- 
tween the Snalie River outlet and the Tamarac River 

outlet 8 

Area within North Dakota bordering on the Red River 
between the outlet of the Forest River and the Park 

River outlet 12 

Tamarac River 520 

Park River (North Dakota) 881 

Area within Minnesota bordering on the Red River be- 
tween the outlet of the Tamarac River and the Two 

Rivers outlet 263 

Area within Minnesota above the Two Rivers outlet 16,104 

Two Rivers 1,027 

Area within Minnesota bordering on the Red River be- 
tween the outlet of the Two Rivers and the Interna- 
tional Boundary 27 

Roseau River, within Minnesota 1,230 

Area within North Dakota bordering on the Red River 
between the outlet of the Park River and the Pembina 

River outlet 454 

Pembina River: 

Tributary area in North Dakota 1,994 

Tributary area in Canada 2,042 

HUDSON BAY DRAINAGE BASIN. 

RAINY RIVER IN MINNESOTA* 

NAMES OF TRIBUTARIES 

Areas bordering the Gunflint Lakes to Cross River outlet 33 

Cross River 8S 

Area bordering on Saganaga, Knife and Basswood Lakes 
from the outlet of Cross River to the outlet of the 

Kawishiwi River 400 

Total area above the Kawishiwi River 521 

Kawishiwi River 1,402 

Beaver River 57 

Birch River (south fork Kawishiwi River) 26 

Dunka River 14 

Stony River 246 

Burntside River 142- 

Isabella River 333 

Isabella River (south branch) 60 

Area bordering on the Rainy River between the Kawishiwi 

River outlet and the Loon River outlet 441 

25 



Area, Square Miles 

Total area above the Loon River 2,364 

Loon River 32 

Area bordering on the Rainy River between the Loon 

River outlet and the Vermillion River outlet 39 

Total area above the Vermillion River 2,435 

Vermillion River 1,028 

Armstrong River 17 

East Two Rivers 10 

West Two Rivers 20 

Pike River 199 

Pelican River 196 

Elbow River 48 

Echo Lake Outlet 102 

Area bordering on the Rainy River between the Vermil- 
lion River outlet and the Namekin River outlet » . 49 

Namekin River 34 

Area bordering on the Rainy River between the Namekin 

River outlet and the Moose River outlet r. . 15 

Total area above the Moose River outlet 3,561 

Moose River 48 

Ash River ; 14G 

Black Duck River 34 

Area bordering on Namekin and Rainy Lakes between the 

Moose River outlet and the Rat Root River outlet 265 

Total area above the Rat Root River outlet 4,020 

Rat Root River 291 

Area bordering on the Rainy River between the Rat Root 

River outlet and the Little Fork River outlet 73 

Total area above the Little Fork River 4,384 

Little Fork River 1,767 

Beaver Creek 22 

Sturgeon River 504 

Bearskin River , . 172 

Willow River 69 

Net Lake River 191 

Beaver Brook 121 

Area bordering on the Rainy River between the Little 

Fork River outlet and the Big Fork River outlet 6 

Total area above the Big Fork River outlet 6,157 

Big Fork River 1,985 

Bow String River (above Big Fork) 600 

Caldwell Brook 157 

Sturgeon River 312 

Area bordering on the Rainy River between the Big Fork 

River outlet and the Black River outlet 3 

Total area above the Black River outlet. 8,145 

.w^ «fc^ 26 



Area, Square Miles 

Black River 400 

Area bordering on the Rainy River between the Black 

River outlet and the Rapid River outlet 125 

Total area above the Rapid River outlet 8,6^0 

Rapid River 900 

Area bordering on the Rainy River between the Rapid 

River outlet and the Beaudette River outlet 32 

Total area above the Beaudette River 9,602 

Beaudette River 96 

Area bordering on the Rainy River between the Beaudette 

River outlet and the Winter Road River 21 

Total area above the Winter Road River 9,719 

Winter Road River 180 

Area bordering on the Rainy River between the outlet of 
the Winter Road River and the mouth of the Rainy 

River 37 

Total area in Minnesota above the mouth of the Rainy 

River 9,936 

Area in Minnesota bordering on Lake of the Woods be- 
tween the mouth of the Rainy River and the Warroad 

River outlet 244 

Warroad River 220 

Area in Minnesota bordering on Lake of the Woods 
between the outlet of the Warroad River and the Inter- 
national Boundary 54 

TOTAL RAINY RIVER DRAINAGE AREA IN MINNE- 
SOTA 10,454 

*No attempt has been made to cletermine extent of areas tributary to Rainy River, 
located witiiin the Dominion of Canada. 

LAKE SUPERIOR DRAINAGE BASIN. 

SUMMARY 
Total Lake Superior drainage area, including the Pigeon 

River tributaries in Canada (401 square miles) 6,259 

Pigeon River, total area within Minnesota 227 

Pigeon River, total drainage area 628 

NAMES OF THE TRIBUTARIES 

Pigeon River (including the Canadian tributaries) 628 

Area within Minnesota bordering on South, Rose, Rove, 

Mountain, Moose and North Fowl Lakes 88 

Pine River 25 

Area within Minnesota bordering on South Fowl Lake be- 
tween the Pine River outlet and the Stump River outlet 2 

Stump River 18 

Portage Brook 13 



27 



Area, Square Miles 
Area within Minnesota bordering on the Pigeon River be- 
tween the Portage Brook outlet and the Missaieh River 

outlet 2 

Missaieh River 49 

Area within Minnesota bordering on the Pigeon River be- 
tween the Missaieh River outlet and Lake Superior 30 

Total drainage area of Pigeon River within Minnesota. . . 227 

Nemadji River 243 

Net River 68 

Black Hoof Creek 45 

St. Louis River 3,324 

Partridge River 183 

Messaba Creek 38 

Embarrass River 180 

Mud Hen River 109 

Water Hen River 29 

Otter River 21 

East Two Rivers 54 

West Two Rivers 84 

- East Swan River 236 

Stone" River 40 

Sand Creek 62 

Whitef ace River 496 

Bug Creek 40 

Paleface River 61 

Floodwood River 202 

East Savanah River 114 

Stoney Brook (Yellow Pine) 80 

Cloquet River 749 

Ushkabwakka River 58 

Boulder Creek 60 

Little Cloquet (Pequaywan Lake outlet) , . 62 

Cloquet River (west branch) 109 

White Pine Creek 39 

Otter Creek 43 

Midway Creek 58 

Area bordering on Lake Superior between the St. Louis 

River outlet and the Amity Creek outlet 67 

Total area above the Amity Creek outlet 3,634 

Amity Creek 10 

Lester River 46 

French River 22 

Knife River 40 

Stewarts River 38 

Encampment River 19 

Gooseberry River 94 

Split Rock River 36 

28 



Area, Square Miles 
Area bordering on Lake Superior in St. Louis and Lake 

Counties below Anaity -Creek outlet 197 

Beaver Bay River 158 

Baptism River 136 

Manitou River 102 

Two Island River 20 

Cross River 78 

Temperance River ' 212 

Poplar River 167 

Cascade River 89 

Devil Track River 81 

Greenwood River 16 

Brule River , 270 

Poplar River 20 

Mawskiquawcawndu River 28 

Area bordering on Lake Superior in Cook County. 138 

TOTAL LAKE SUPERIOR DRAINAGE AREA WITHIN 

MINNESOTA 5.858 



29 



TABLE II. 
VALUES OF A-6 FOR USE IN THE FORMULA Q = lOOA-^ 

A^Area in 
Square Miles A.6 

100,000 1,000 

70,000 807 

40,000 577 

30,000 486 

20,000 381 

10,000 251 

7,000 203 

4,000 145 

3,000 122 

2,000 96 

1,000 63 

700 51 

400 36 

300 31 

200 24 

100 16 

70 13 

40 9.1 

30 7.7 

20 6.0 

10 4.0 

7 3.2 

4 2.3 

3 1.9 

2 1.5 

1 1.00 

0.7 81 

0.4 58 

0.3 48 

0.2 38 

0.1 25 

0.05 17 

0.01 0.06 



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31 



TABLE III. 
FREQUENCY COEFFICIENTS. 

FLOOD FREQUENCY 

For a flood of magnitude to be expected: Coefficients 

Once in 10 years .' .85 

Once in 25 years 1.00 

Once in 100 years 1.40 - 



32 



TABLE IV. 
RUN-OFF COEFFICIENTS. 

CHARACTER OF DRAINAGE BASIN 

Coefficients 
Soil Loam Soil 
Sandy Clayey 

1. Very flat agricultural or timber land with some 

marshes and swamps 35 .40 .50 

2. Relatively flat agricultural or timber land with some 

marshes and ponds 45 .50 ,60 

3. Gently rolling agricultural or timber land full of 
lakes, ponds and marshes connected by poorly de- 
fined water courses 50 .60 .75 

4. Relatively flat -agricultural or timber land of fairly 

uniform slope, without lakes and ponds 60 .70 .85 

5. Slightly undulating agricultural or timber land with- 
out lakes or ponds; or distinctly rolling to hilly 

agricultural or timber land, with lakes and ponds... .70 .80 1.00 

6. Gently rolling agricultural or timber land without 

lakes and ponds 85 1.00 1.25 

7. Distinctly rolling to hilly agricultural or timber land 
without lakes and ponds; or hilly agricultural or 
timber lands with steep slopes and lakes, ponds and 

marshes in valleys 1.10 1.50 2.00 

8. Hilly agricultural or timber land with steep slopes 
barely admitting of cultivation; without lakes, ponds 

or marshes 2.25 3,00 4.00 

9. Very hilly timber or brush-covered land, slopes too 
steep for cultivation; ravines and gullies with occa- 
sional small ponds or marshes 3.50 4.50 6.00 

10. Very hilly timber or brush-covered land with some 
rock outcropping; ravines and gullies, and occa- 
sional small ponds or marshes 5.00 6.00 8.00 

11. Very hilly to rugged country with much rock out- 
cropping; scattered timber; occasional small ponds 

and marshes 9.00 10.00 12.00 

12. Rugged to precipitous rocky country with practically 
no soil cover; small timber and brush; ravines and 

gullies; no lakes, ponds or marshes to retard runoff 15.00 

Note — The available information on the subject does not indicate that forests 
have any material effect upon the extreme flood flow. They have a tendency to 
reduce the ordinary flood flow somewhat. In northern Minnesota forests have 
aggravated spring floods lay retarding the melting of snow until warm April rains 
set in. 

Tn determining the proper coefficient to use for a given drainage basin of 
diverse characteristics, subdivide the basin into approximately similar areas, select 

33 



the proper coefficient for each subdivision, and compute the average coefficient 
applicable to the entire area. 

In general, it may be stated that lakes, ponds and marshes have a most pro- 
nounced retarding effect upon the runoff, resulting in low coefficients. A region 
may be hilly — even rocky — but between the hills and rock outcrops there may be 
lakes, ponds, marshes, bogs or ^muskegs, wliich greatly retard the flow of water to 
the main stream, even though the rainfall rapidly runs off from the hills into the 
valleys where the lakes, ponds and marshes lie. Drainage basins having a rela- 
tively uniform slope in one direction, particularly if deeply gullied, would require 
the use of lar'ge coefficients. 



•64 



SYNDICATE PRINTING CO. 
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



illllll 

029 714 159 4 




